Day 90 of the 3rd Bible Study Journey - 31 March 2023 reflections
Day 90, 31 Mar 2023
1) Judges 6-7
Judges 6
Gideon
1 The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord,
so the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian for seven years.
2 The hands of Midian dominated Israel, and because of Midian
the children of Israel made hiding places for themselves in the mountains,
caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever Israel would plant crops, the Midianites,
Amalekites, and the people from the east would come up against them.
4 Then they would make camp by them and ruin crops of the land all the way
to Gaza. They did not leave any provisions behind in Israel-neither sheep,
nor cattle, nor donkeys.
5 For they came with their livestock and tents like a swarm of locusts.
They and their camels were too numerous to count, and they came into
the land to destroy it.
6 Israel was made weak before Midian and cried out to the Lord.
7 When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of Midian,
8 the Lord sent them a prophet who said, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
I brought you up from Egypt and out of that place of slavery.
9 I delivered you from the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors.
I drove them out from before you and gave you their land.
10 I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God. Do not worship the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living.' But you have disobeyed Me."
11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak tree in Ophrah
belonging to Joash the Abiezrite. Gideon his son was threshing wheat
in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him,
"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor."
13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us,
then why has all this happened to us? Where are all His miracles
that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Did not the Lord bring
us out of Egypt?' Yet now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered
us into the hands of the Midianites."
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours.
Save Israel from the control of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
15 And he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?
Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest
in my father's house."
16 Then the Lord said to him, "But I will be with you, and you will strike
the Midianites as one man."
17 And he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight,
give me a sign that it is You who are speaking with me.
18 Please do not depart from here until I come to You
and bring out my gift and set it before You."
And He said, "I will stay until you return."
19 So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread
from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket, and he put
the broth in a pot, and brought them out and offered them to Him
under the oak.
20 And the angel of God said to him,"Take the meat and the unleavened bread,
lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And so he did.
21 The angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was
in His hand and touched the meat and unleavened flatbread.
Fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread.
Then the angel of the Lord departed from his sight.
22 Then Gideon perceived that it was indeed the angel of the Lord.
So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord God! I have seen
the angel of the Lord face to face."
23 Then the Lord said to him, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.
You will not die."
24 Then Gideon built an altar for the Lord there and called it
The Lord Is Peace.
Even to this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 That night the Lord said to him, "Take a bull from your father's herd
and a second bull seven years old. Tear down your father's Baal altar
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.
26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this stronghold
in an orderly way. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering
with the wood of the Asherah pole that you will cut down."
27 So Gideon took ten men from among his slaves
and did as the Lord had told him, but because he was too afraid of the rest
of his father's household and the men of the city to do it by day,
he did it at night.
28 When the men of the city got up early in the morning,
the altar of Baal was torn down, the Asherah pole beside it was cut down,
and the second bull had been offered on the new altar that had been built.
29 They said to each other, "Who has done this?"
When they had inquired and asked, they responded,
"Gideon son of Joash has done this."
30 Then the men of the city said to Joash,
"Bring out your son so that he may die, for he tore down the altar of Baal
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."
31 Joash then said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal?
Would you save him? Whoever fights for him will be killed by morning.
If Baal is a god, let him fight for himself,
for someone has torn down his altar."
32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerub-Baal, saying,
"Let Baal fight him, for he tore down the altar of Baal."
33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east gathered
together, and they crossed over, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
34 The Spirit of the Lord enveloped Gideon. He blew a ram's horn trumpet,
and the Abiezrites assembled behind him.
35 He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh and they assembled
behind him as well. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali,
so these tribes came up to meet them.
36 Gideon said to God, "If You will use my hands to save Israel,
as You have said-
37 I am placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.
If there is dew on the fleece only and all of the ground remains dry,
then I will know that You will save Israel with my hands, as You have said."
38 So it happened. He got up early the next morning and squeezed the fleece.
Enough dew poured out of the fleece to fill a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let Your anger burn against me
as I speak only one more time. Please let me perform a test with the fleece
one more time. Please, let the fleece be the only thing dry,
and let there be dew on all of the ground."
40 So God did this during that night. Only the fleece was dry,
and the dew was on all the ground.
Judges 6
[1] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the
LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
[2] And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the
Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the
mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
[3] And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and
the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against
them;
[4] And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth,
till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep,
nor ox, nor ass.
[5] For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as
grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without
number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
[6] And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the
children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
[7] And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD
because of the Midianites,
[8] That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said
unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt,
and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
[9] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the
hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave
you their land;
[10] And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
[11] And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in
Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon
threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
[12] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The
LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
[13] And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then
is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers
told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the
LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
[14] And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou
shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
[15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel?
behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's
house.
[16] And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt
smite the Midianites as one man.
[17] And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew
me a sign that thou talkest with me.
[18] Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth
my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou
come again.
[19] And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an
ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot,
and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
[20] And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened
cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
[21] Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in
his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up
fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then
the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
[22] And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon
said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to
face.
[23] And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt
not die.
[24] Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it
Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
[25] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take
thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and
throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove
that is by it:
[26] And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in
the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice
with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
[27] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said
unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the
men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
[28] And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the
altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and
the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
[29] And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they
inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
[30] Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he
may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath
cut down the grove that was by it.
[31] And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal?
will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst
it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one
hath cast down his altar.
[32] Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead
against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
[33] Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east
were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
[34] But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and
Abi-ezer was gathered after him.
[35] And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered
after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto
Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
[36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as
thou hast said,
[37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on
the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know
that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
[38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the
fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of
water.
[39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I
will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the
fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let
there be dew.
[40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and
there was dew on all the ground.
Judges 7
Gideon Defeats the Midianites
1 Then Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with
him got up early and set up camp at Harod Spring.
There was a camp of Midianites to the north of them in the valley
near the hill of Moreh.
2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people with you for Me
to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves
over Me, saying, 'Our own power saved us.'
3 So now, call out so the people can hear, 'Whoever is afraid or anxious
may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' "
So 20000 from among the people turned back, and 10000 were left.
4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many people.
Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.
When I say to you, "This one will go with you,' he will go with you.
Everyone about whom I will say,' 'This one will not go with you,'
will not go."
5 So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon,
"You shall set apart by himself everyone who laps the water with his tongue
like dogs; likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink."
6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths,
was three hundred. The rest of the people had knelt to drink water.
7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With three hundred men who lapped to drink,
I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.
All the rest of the people should go home."
8 So the three hundred men took provisions and ram's horn trumpets
in their hands. Gideon sent all the other Israelite men to their tents,
but he kept the three hundred men.
Now the Midianite camp was below him in the valley.
9 That night the Lord said to him, "Get up and go down into the camp,
for I have given it into your hands.
10 Yet if you are afraid to go down, then go down to the camp with Purah
your servant.
11 Listen to what they say, and afterward you will be emboldened to go down
to the camp.." So he and Purah his servant went down near the edge
of the camp.
12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Kedemites covered the valley
like locusts; and their camels could not be counted, for they were
as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore.
13 Gideon came and overheard one man who was telling his dream to another.
The man said, "Listen to a dream I had. I saw a dry cake of barley bread
rolling into the Midianite camp. It rolled up to a tent and struck it.
It fell, turned upside down, and collapsed."
14 The other man responded, "This is none other than the sword of Gideon
son of Joash the Israelite. God has given Midian and the whole camp into
his hands."
15 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation,
he worshipped, returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Get up, for the Lord
has given the Midianite camp into your hands."
16 He divided the three hundred men into three combat units.
He gave all of them ram's horn trumpets, empty jars,
and torches within the jars.
17 He said to them, "Look at me and do likewise. Watch, and when I come
to the perimeter of the camp, do as I do.
18 When I and all who are with me blow the horn, then you will blow the horns
all around the camp and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon!' "
19 So Gideon and a hundred men with him went to the edge of the camp
at the start of the middle night watch, just as they were setting the watch.
Then they blew the horns and smashed the jars in their hands.
20 The three combat units blew the horns and broke the jars.
They held the torches in their left hands and the horns for
blowing in their right hands. They called out,
"A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"
21 Every man stood in his place all around the camp,
but the men in the camp ran, shouted, and fled.
22 When they blew the three hundred horns, the Lord turned every man's
sword against his fellow man throughout the camp. The Midianite camp
fled to Beth Shittah in the direction of Zererah, up to the border
of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath.
23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all of Manasseh
were summoned, and they chased after the Midianites.
24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying,
"Come down to engage Midian in battle.
Take control of the water ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan."
All the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they took control of the water
ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.
25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders.
They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb.
They chased after the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb
and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
Judges 7
[1] Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him,
rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the
Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the
valley.
[2] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too
many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt
themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
[3] Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying,
Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount
Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there
remained ten thousand.
[4] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them
down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be,
that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go
with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee,
the same shall not go.
[5] So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto
Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog
lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down
upon his knees to drink.
[6] And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth,
were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their
knees to drink water.
[7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will
I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the
other people go every man unto his place.
[8] So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he
sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those
three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
[9] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise,
get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
[10] But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to
the host:
[11] And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be
strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his
servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
[12] And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east
lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels
were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
[13] And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream
unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of
barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and
smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
[14] And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword
of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God
delivered Midian, and all the host.
[15] And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the
interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of
Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host
of Midian.
[16] And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a
trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the
pitchers.
[17] And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I
come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.
[18] When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye
the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the
LORD, and of Gideon.
[19] So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the
outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but
newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that
were in their hands.
[20] And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and
held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to
blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
[21] And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the
host ran, and cried, and fled.
[22] And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's
sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to
Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.
[23] And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and
out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
[24] And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come
down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah
and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and
took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.
[25] And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they
slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb,
and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the
other side Jordan.
2) Our Daily Bread for 31 March 2023 Titled
Rest Assured
Isaiah 26:1-6
Isaiah 26
A Song of Victory
1 (Isa 60:18; 12:1) In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
He appoints walls
and bulwarks for security.
2 (Ps 118:20; Isa 60:11) Open the gates,
that the righteous nation may enter,
the one who remains faithful.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
4 (Isa 12:2; 50:10) Trust in the Lord forever,
for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.
5 (Job 40:11-13) For He brings down those who dwell on high,
the lofty city; He lays it low; He lays it low,
even to the ground;
He brings it even to the dust.
6 The foot shall tread it down,
even the feet of the poor
and the steps of the needy.
Isaiah 26
[1] In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
[2] Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may
enter in.
[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
[4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength:
[5] For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth
it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the
dust.
[6] The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps
of the needy.
Researchers in Fujian, China, wanted to help intensive care unit (ICU)
patients sleep more soundly. They measured the effects of sleep aids on test
subjects in a simulated ICU environment, complete with bright, hospital-grade
lighting and audio recordings of machines beeping and nurses talking. Their
research showed that tools like sleep masks and ear plugs improved their
subjects' rest. But they acknowledged that for truly sick patients in a real
ICU, peaceful sleep would still be hard to come by.
When our world is troubled, how can we find rest? The Bible's clear:
there's peace for those who trust in God, regardless of their circumstances. The
prophet Isaiah wrote about a future time when the ancient Israelites would be
restored after hardship. They would live securely in their city, because they
knew that God made it safe (Isaiah 26:1). They would trust that He was
actively working in the world around them to bring good-"He humbles those who
dwell on high," raising up the oppressed, and bringing justice (vv. 5-6). They
would know that "the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal," and they could trust
Him forever (v. 4).
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast," wrote
Isaiah, "because they trust in you" (v. 3). God can provide peace and rest for
us today as well. We can rest in the assurance of His love and power,
no matter what's going on around us.
By: Karen Pimpo
Reflect & Pray
What threatens to overwhelm you today?
How can you remind yourself of God's power and love?
Dear God, I trust You and choose to rest assured in Your love today.
For further study, read God Is Love.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 6 - Through The Fire
Is 43:2
2 (Ps 66:12; Da 3:25-27) When you pass through waters,
I will be with you. And through the rivers,they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame kindle on you.
2 When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
In the Book of Daniel, 3 young men provide one of the world's best-known
Bible stories. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three of the finest young
men of Israel, were taken into capitivity to Babylon. There King
Nebuchadnezzar, filled with his own importance, commanded that
everyone bow down and worship his image.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship anyone
except the One True god, they were cast into Nebuchadnezzar's
furnace of fire.
Is 43:2 brings their experience into focus for us. There the Lord says,
"When you pass through the fire ... when you walk through the water ..."
Not if, but when. If we are committed to serving and honouring the Lord,
at some point we will be faced with "passing through the fire" for hm.
We may not face a physical furnace, but we may face the fires of
persecution, anger, hostility or suffering. And God says:
"I will be with you."
When the three young Israelites stepped into the king's furnace, all
the people looked and saw, not three, but four men in the fire, their
bonds burned away, walking freely among the flames. They did not
escape the fate decreed for them. But the Lord was with them in
the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the flood
and the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the
flood and fire tht life brings to us. The promise of god remains:
"I will be with you; the waters will not overflow, nor will the
flames burn you."
Application
a) What kinds of "fires" and "Floods" have I experienced?
b) How was I aware of the Lord's presence with me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Cor 13:3
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned,
and have not love, it profits me nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Inexhaustible Strength
Ps 18:30-34
30 As for God, His way has integrity;
the word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Or who is a rock besides our God?
32 It is God who clothes me with strength,
and gives my way integrity.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and causes me to stand on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD?
Or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength,
And maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet,
And setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war,
So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Saskatchewan
Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400
est Muslim Population 17279
CNMM Networks: Saskatoon
Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past
5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have
focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts
of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres
of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a
Christian school.
Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up
in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young
women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.
Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 18 March to 18 April 2023
Baghdad, formerly named "city of peace", is the capital of Iraq and one
of the largest urban agglomeration in the Middle East. Baghdad was revered
by Muslims as the cosmopolitan centre of the Arab world when Iraq was at the
height of its stability and economic stature in the 1970s. After enduring
seemingly constant war and conflict over the past 30 years, this emblem feels
like a fading memory to its people. Today, most of Iraq's traditional
Christian minority groups can be found in Baghdad, numbering around 250 000
people. With unprecedented population growth and continued economic
instability, a windows of opportunity is opening for Jesus-followers in Iraq
to heal their fractured nation through the peace of God found only in the
Messiah!
People Group Focus
Iraqi Arab
North
Iraqi Arab
Northern Kurd
Prayer Emphasis
- Pray for multiplying house churches to launch Gospel movements among the
Iraqi Arabs, North Iraqi Arabs, and Northern Kurds.
- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to sweep over the house churches.
- Pray for the historic chrurch to be filled with God's Grace and boldness as
its members share their faith with others
- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through prayer and evangelism.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for godly people to rise in all nations.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, I trust You and choose to rest
assured in Your love today."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord is with you through troubling
circumstances.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be charitable.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He is trustworthy.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
- Pray for multiplying house churches to launch Gospel movements among the
Iraqi Arabs, North Iraqi Arabs, and Northern Kurds.
- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to sweep over the house churches.
- Pray for the historic church to be filled with God's Grace and boldness as
its members share their faith with others
- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through prayer and evangelism.
Pray that Christians in Lebanon will share the message of Christ
boldly while serving the poor.
1) Judges 6-7
Judges 6
Gideon
1 The children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord,
so the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian for seven years.
2 The hands of Midian dominated Israel, and because of Midian
the children of Israel made hiding places for themselves in the mountains,
caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever Israel would plant crops, the Midianites,
Amalekites, and the people from the east would come up against them.
4 Then they would make camp by them and ruin crops of the land all the way
to Gaza. They did not leave any provisions behind in Israel-neither sheep,
nor cattle, nor donkeys.
5 For they came with their livestock and tents like a swarm of locusts.
They and their camels were too numerous to count, and they came into
the land to destroy it.
6 Israel was made weak before Midian and cried out to the Lord.
7 When the children of Israel cried out to the Lord because of Midian,
8 the Lord sent them a prophet who said, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
I brought you up from Egypt and out of that place of slavery.
9 I delivered you from the hands of Egypt and all your oppressors.
I drove them out from before you and gave you their land.
10 I said to you, 'I am the Lord your God. Do not worship the gods of
the Amorites in whose land you are living.' But you have disobeyed Me."
11 Now the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak tree in Ophrah
belonging to Joash the Abiezrite. Gideon his son was threshing wheat
in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites.
12 The angel of the Lord appeared and said to him,
"The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor."
13 Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the Lord is with us,
then why has all this happened to us? Where are all His miracles
that our fathers told us about? They said, 'Did not the Lord bring
us out of Egypt?' Yet now the Lord has forsaken us and delivered
us into the hands of the Midianites."
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, "Go in this strength of yours.
Save Israel from the control of Midian. Have I not sent you?"
15 And he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel?
Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest
in my father's house."
16 Then the Lord said to him, "But I will be with you, and you will strike
the Midianites as one man."
17 And he said to Him, "If I have found favor in Your sight,
give me a sign that it is You who are speaking with me.
18 Please do not depart from here until I come to You
and bring out my gift and set it before You."
And He said, "I will stay until you return."
19 So Gideon went and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread
from an ephah of flour. He put the meat in a basket, and he put
the broth in a pot, and brought them out and offered them to Him
under the oak.
20 And the angel of God said to him,"Take the meat and the unleavened bread,
lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth." And so he did.
21 The angel of the Lord reached out the tip of the staff that was
in His hand and touched the meat and unleavened flatbread.
Fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and unleavened bread.
Then the angel of the Lord departed from his sight.
22 Then Gideon perceived that it was indeed the angel of the Lord.
So Gideon said, "Alas, O Lord God! I have seen
the angel of the Lord face to face."
23 Then the Lord said to him, "Peace be with you. Do not be afraid.
You will not die."
24 Then Gideon built an altar for the Lord there and called it
The Lord Is Peace.
Even to this day it stands in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
25 That night the Lord said to him, "Take a bull from your father's herd
and a second bull seven years old. Tear down your father's Baal altar
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it.
26 Then build an altar to the Lord your God on top of this stronghold
in an orderly way. Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering
with the wood of the Asherah pole that you will cut down."
27 So Gideon took ten men from among his slaves
and did as the Lord had told him, but because he was too afraid of the rest
of his father's household and the men of the city to do it by day,
he did it at night.
28 When the men of the city got up early in the morning,
the altar of Baal was torn down, the Asherah pole beside it was cut down,
and the second bull had been offered on the new altar that had been built.
29 They said to each other, "Who has done this?"
When they had inquired and asked, they responded,
"Gideon son of Joash has done this."
30 Then the men of the city said to Joash,
"Bring out your son so that he may die, for he tore down the altar of Baal
and cut down the Asherah pole beside it."
31 Joash then said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal?
Would you save him? Whoever fights for him will be killed by morning.
If Baal is a god, let him fight for himself,
for someone has torn down his altar."
32 Therefore on that day he called him Jerub-Baal, saying,
"Let Baal fight him, for he tore down the altar of Baal."
33 All the Midianites, Amalekites, and the people from the east gathered
together, and they crossed over, and camped in the Valley of Jezreel.
34 The Spirit of the Lord enveloped Gideon. He blew a ram's horn trumpet,
and the Abiezrites assembled behind him.
35 He sent messengers throughout all of Manasseh and they assembled
behind him as well. He also sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali,
so these tribes came up to meet them.
36 Gideon said to God, "If You will use my hands to save Israel,
as You have said-
37 I am placing a fleece of wool on the threshing floor.
If there is dew on the fleece only and all of the ground remains dry,
then I will know that You will save Israel with my hands, as You have said."
38 So it happened. He got up early the next morning and squeezed the fleece.
Enough dew poured out of the fleece to fill a bowlful of water.
39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not let Your anger burn against me
as I speak only one more time. Please let me perform a test with the fleece
one more time. Please, let the fleece be the only thing dry,
and let there be dew on all of the ground."
40 So God did this during that night. Only the fleece was dry,
and the dew was on all the ground.
Judges 6
[1] And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the
LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
[2] And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the
Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the
mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
[3] And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and
the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against
them;
[4] And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth,
till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep,
nor ox, nor ass.
[5] For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as
grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without
number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
[6] And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites; and the
children of Israel cried unto the LORD.
[7] And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD
because of the Midianites,
[8] That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said
unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt,
and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
[9] And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the
hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave
you their land;
[10] And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the
Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
[11] And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in
Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abi-ezrite: and his son Gideon
threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.
[12] And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The
LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
[13] And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then
is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers
told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the
LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
[14] And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou
shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
[15] And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel?
behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's
house.
[16] And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt
smite the Midianites as one man.
[17] And he said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, then shew
me a sign that thou talkest with me.
[18] Depart not hence, I pray thee, until I come unto thee, and bring forth
my present, and set it before thee. And he said, I will tarry until thou
come again.
[19] And Gideon went in, and made ready a kid, and unleavened cakes of an
ephah of flour: the flesh he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot,
and brought it out unto him under the oak, and presented it.
[20] And the angel of God said unto him, Take the flesh and the unleavened
cakes, and lay them upon this rock, and pour out the broth. And he did so.
[21] Then the angel of the LORD put forth the end of the staff that was in
his hand, and touched the flesh and the unleavened cakes; and there rose up
fire out of the rock, and consumed the flesh and the unleavened cakes. Then
the angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.
[22] And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the LORD, Gideon
said, Alas, O Lord GOD! for because I have seen an angel of the LORD face to
face.
[23] And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt
not die.
[24] Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it
Jehovah-shalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abi-ezrites.
[25] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take
thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and
throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove
that is by it:
[26] And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in
the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice
with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down.
[27] Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said
unto him: and so it was, because he feared his father's household, and the
men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night.
[28] And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the
altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and
the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built.
[29] And they said one to another, Who hath done this thing? And when they
inquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing.
[30] Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he
may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath
cut down the grove that was by it.
[31] And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal?
will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst
it is yet morning: if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one
hath cast down his altar.
[32] Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead
against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.
[33] Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the children of the east
were gathered together, and went over, and pitched in the valley of Jezreel.
[34] But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and
Abi-ezer was gathered after him.
[35] And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh; who also was gathered
after him: and he sent messengers unto Asher, and unto Zebulun, and unto
Naphtali; and they came up to meet them.
[36] And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as
thou hast said,
[37] Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on
the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know
that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.
[38] And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the
fleece together, and wringed the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of
water.
[39] And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I
will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the
fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let
there be dew.
[40] And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and
there was dew on all the ground.
Judges 7
Gideon Defeats the Midianites
1 Then Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with
him got up early and set up camp at Harod Spring.
There was a camp of Midianites to the north of them in the valley
near the hill of Moreh.
2 The Lord said to Gideon, "You have too many people with you for Me
to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel glorify themselves
over Me, saying, 'Our own power saved us.'
3 So now, call out so the people can hear, 'Whoever is afraid or anxious
may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.' "
So 20000 from among the people turned back, and 10000 were left.
4 But the Lord said to Gideon, "There are still too many people.
Bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there.
When I say to you, "This one will go with you,' he will go with you.
Everyone about whom I will say,' 'This one will not go with you,'
will not go."
5 So he brought the people down to the water, and the Lord said to Gideon,
"You shall set apart by himself everyone who laps the water with his tongue
like dogs; likewise, everyone who kneels down to drink."
6 The number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths,
was three hundred. The rest of the people had knelt to drink water.
7 The Lord said to Gideon, "With three hundred men who lapped to drink,
I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.
All the rest of the people should go home."
8 So the three hundred men took provisions and ram's horn trumpets
in their hands. Gideon sent all the other Israelite men to their tents,
but he kept the three hundred men.
Now the Midianite camp was below him in the valley.
9 That night the Lord said to him, "Get up and go down into the camp,
for I have given it into your hands.
10 Yet if you are afraid to go down, then go down to the camp with Purah
your servant.
11 Listen to what they say, and afterward you will be emboldened to go down
to the camp.." So he and Purah his servant went down near the edge
of the camp.
12 Now the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Kedemites covered the valley
like locusts; and their camels could not be counted, for they were
as numerous as grains of sand on the seashore.
13 Gideon came and overheard one man who was telling his dream to another.
The man said, "Listen to a dream I had. I saw a dry cake of barley bread
rolling into the Midianite camp. It rolled up to a tent and struck it.
It fell, turned upside down, and collapsed."
14 The other man responded, "This is none other than the sword of Gideon
son of Joash the Israelite. God has given Midian and the whole camp into
his hands."
15 When Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation,
he worshipped, returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Get up, for the Lord
has given the Midianite camp into your hands."
16 He divided the three hundred men into three combat units.
He gave all of them ram's horn trumpets, empty jars,
and torches within the jars.
17 He said to them, "Look at me and do likewise. Watch, and when I come
to the perimeter of the camp, do as I do.
18 When I and all who are with me blow the horn, then you will blow the horns
all around the camp and shout, 'For the Lord and for Gideon!' "
19 So Gideon and a hundred men with him went to the edge of the camp
at the start of the middle night watch, just as they were setting the watch.
Then they blew the horns and smashed the jars in their hands.
20 The three combat units blew the horns and broke the jars.
They held the torches in their left hands and the horns for
blowing in their right hands. They called out,
"A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!"
21 Every man stood in his place all around the camp,
but the men in the camp ran, shouted, and fled.
22 When they blew the three hundred horns, the Lord turned every man's
sword against his fellow man throughout the camp. The Midianite camp
fled to Beth Shittah in the direction of Zererah, up to the border
of Abel Meholah, near Tabbath.
23 The men of Israel from Naphtali, Asher, and all of Manasseh
were summoned, and they chased after the Midianites.
24 Now Gideon sent messengers throughout the hill country of Ephraim, saying,
"Come down to engage Midian in battle.
Take control of the water ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan."
All the men of Ephraim were summoned, and they took control of the water
ways as far as Beth Barah and the Jordan.
25 They captured Oreb and Zeeb, the two Midianite commanders.
They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb and killed Zeeb at the winepress of Zeeb.
They chased after the Midianites and brought the heads of Oreb
and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
Judges 7
[1] Then Jerubbaal, who is Gideon, and all the people that were with him,
rose up early, and pitched beside the well of Harod: so that the host of the
Midianites were on the north side of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the
valley.
[2] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too
many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt
themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.
[3] Now therefore go to, proclaim in the ears of the people, saying,
Whosoever is fearful and afraid, let him return and depart early from mount
Gilead. And there returned of the people twenty and two thousand; and there
remained ten thousand.
[4] And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them
down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be,
that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go
with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee,
the same shall not go.
[5] So he brought down the people unto the water: and the LORD said unto
Gideon, Every one that lappeth of the water with his tongue, as a dog
lappeth, him shalt thou set by himself; likewise every one that boweth down
upon his knees to drink.
[6] And the number of them that lapped, putting their hand to their mouth,
were three hundred men: but all the rest of the people bowed down upon their
knees to drink water.
[7] And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will
I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the
other people go every man unto his place.
[8] So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he
sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those
three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
[9] And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise,
get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
[10] But if thou fear to go down, go thou with Phurah thy servant down to
the host:
[11] And thou shalt hear what they say; and afterward shall thine hands be
strengthened to go down unto the host. Then went he down with Phurah his
servant unto the outside of the armed men that were in the host.
[12] And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east
lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels
were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.
[13] And when Gideon was come, behold, there was a man that told a dream
unto his fellow, and said, Behold, I dreamed a dream, and, lo, a cake of
barley bread tumbled into the host of Midian, and came unto a tent, and
smote it that it fell, and overturned it, that the tent lay along.
[14] And his fellow answered and said, This is nothing else save the sword
of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel: for into his hand hath God
delivered Midian, and all the host.
[15] And it was so, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream, and the
interpretation thereof, that he worshipped, and returned into the host of
Israel, and said, Arise; for the LORD hath delivered into your hand the host
of Midian.
[16] And he divided the three hundred men into three companies, and he put a
trumpet in every man's hand, with empty pitchers, and lamps within the
pitchers.
[17] And he said unto them, Look on me, and do likewise: and, behold, when I
come to the outside of the camp, it shall be that, as I do, so shall ye do.
[18] When I blow with a trumpet, I and all that are with me, then blow ye
the trumpets also on every side of all the camp, and say, The sword of the
LORD, and of Gideon.
[19] So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the
outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but
newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that
were in their hands.
[20] And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and
held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to
blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
[21] And they stood every man in his place round about the camp: and all the
host ran, and cried, and fled.
[22] And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's
sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to
Beth-shittah in Zererath, and to the border of Abel-meholah, unto Tabbath.
[23] And the men of Israel gathered themselves together out of Naphtali, and
out of Asher, and out of all Manasseh, and pursued after the Midianites.
[24] And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come
down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Beth-barah
and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and
took the waters unto Beth-barah and Jordan.
[25] And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they
slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb,
and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the
other side Jordan.
2) Our Daily Bread for 31 March 2023 Titled
Rest Assured
Isaiah 26:1-6
Isaiah 26
A Song of Victory
1 (Isa 60:18; 12:1) In that day this song shall be sung in the land of Judah:
We have a strong city;
He appoints walls
and bulwarks for security.
2 (Ps 118:20; Isa 60:11) Open the gates,
that the righteous nation may enter,
the one who remains faithful.
3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on You,
because he trusts in You.
4 (Isa 12:2; 50:10) Trust in the Lord forever,
for in God the Lord we have an everlasting rock.
5 (Job 40:11-13) For He brings down those who dwell on high,
the lofty city; He lays it low; He lays it low,
even to the ground;
He brings it even to the dust.
6 The foot shall tread it down,
even the feet of the poor
and the steps of the needy.
Isaiah 26
[1] In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a
strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.
[2] Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may
enter in.
[3] Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trusteth in thee.
[4] Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting
strength:
[5] For he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth
it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the
dust.
[6] The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps
of the needy.
Researchers in Fujian, China, wanted to help intensive care unit (ICU)
patients sleep more soundly. They measured the effects of sleep aids on test
subjects in a simulated ICU environment, complete with bright, hospital-grade
lighting and audio recordings of machines beeping and nurses talking. Their
research showed that tools like sleep masks and ear plugs improved their
subjects' rest. But they acknowledged that for truly sick patients in a real
ICU, peaceful sleep would still be hard to come by.
When our world is troubled, how can we find rest? The Bible's clear:
there's peace for those who trust in God, regardless of their circumstances. The
prophet Isaiah wrote about a future time when the ancient Israelites would be
restored after hardship. They would live securely in their city, because they
knew that God made it safe (Isaiah 26:1). They would trust that He was
actively working in the world around them to bring good-"He humbles those who
dwell on high," raising up the oppressed, and bringing justice (vv. 5-6). They
would know that "the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal," and they could trust
Him forever (v. 4).
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast," wrote
Isaiah, "because they trust in you" (v. 3). God can provide peace and rest for
us today as well. We can rest in the assurance of His love and power,
no matter what's going on around us.
By: Karen Pimpo
Reflect & Pray
What threatens to overwhelm you today?
How can you remind yourself of God's power and love?
Dear God, I trust You and choose to rest assured in Your love today.
For further study, read God Is Love.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 6 - Through The Fire
Is 43:2
2 (Ps 66:12; Da 3:25-27) When you pass through waters,
I will be with you. And through the rivers,they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
nor shall the flame kindle on you.
2 When thou passest through the waters,
I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned;
neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
In the Book of Daniel, 3 young men provide one of the world's best-known
Bible stories. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three of the finest young
men of Israel, were taken into capitivity to Babylon. There King
Nebuchadnezzar, filled with his own importance, commanded that
everyone bow down and worship his image.
When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship anyone
except the One True god, they were cast into Nebuchadnezzar's
furnace of fire.
Is 43:2 brings their experience into focus for us. There the Lord says,
"When you pass through the fire ... when you walk through the water ..."
Not if, but when. If we are committed to serving and honouring the Lord,
at some point we will be faced with "passing through the fire" for hm.
We may not face a physical furnace, but we may face the fires of
persecution, anger, hostility or suffering. And God says:
"I will be with you."
When the three young Israelites stepped into the king's furnace, all
the people looked and saw, not three, but four men in the fire, their
bonds burned away, walking freely among the flames. They did not
escape the fate decreed for them. But the Lord was with them in
the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the flood
and the fire, as surely as he has promised to be with us in the
flood and fire tht life brings to us. The promise of god remains:
"I will be with you; the waters will not overflow, nor will the
flames burn you."
Application
a) What kinds of "fires" and "Floods" have I experienced?
b) How was I aware of the Lord's presence with me?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
1 Cor 13:3
3 If I give all my goods to feed the poor,
and if I give my body to be burned,
and have not love, it profits me nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,
and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity,
it profiteth me nothing.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Inexhaustible Strength
Ps 18:30-34
30 As for God, His way has integrity;
the word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.
31 For who is God except the Lord?
Or who is a rock besides our God?
32 It is God who clothes me with strength,
and gives my way integrity.
33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
and causes me to stand on my high places.
34 He trains my hands for war,
so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.
30 As for God, his way is perfect:
The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD?
Or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength,
And maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet,
And setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war,
So that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2021 edition?)
Saskatchewan
Quick facts on Muslims in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan 2015 population 1125400
est Muslim Population 17279
CNMM Networks: Saskatoon
Saskatoon has seen quick growth in its Muslim population over the past
5 years, which maybe as high as 5000 today. Islamic leaders have
focused specifically on this city , having twice already sent cohorts
of about 70 families to start mosques. There are now 7 Islamic centres
of worship and an Islamic madrassah (school) located right next to a
Christian school.
Of particular concern recently is the number of young adults who grew up
in evangelical churches and converted to Islam. Most of these are young
women who were wooed by Muslim man and became emotionally bonded.
Both prior to and after marrying, these women are known to convert to Islam.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 18 March to 18 April 2023
Baghdad, formerly named "city of peace", is the capital of Iraq and one
of the largest urban agglomeration in the Middle East. Baghdad was revered
by Muslims as the cosmopolitan centre of the Arab world when Iraq was at the
height of its stability and economic stature in the 1970s. After enduring
seemingly constant war and conflict over the past 30 years, this emblem feels
like a fading memory to its people. Today, most of Iraq's traditional
Christian minority groups can be found in Baghdad, numbering around 250 000
people. With unprecedented population growth and continued economic
instability, a windows of opportunity is opening for Jesus-followers in Iraq
to heal their fractured nation through the peace of God found only in the
Messiah!
People Group Focus
Iraqi Arab
North
Iraqi Arab
Northern Kurd
Prayer Emphasis
- Pray for multiplying house churches to launch Gospel movements among the
Iraqi Arabs, North Iraqi Arabs, and Northern Kurds.
- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to sweep over the house churches.
- Pray for the historic chrurch to be filled with God's Grace and boldness as
its members share their faith with others
- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through prayer and evangelism.
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord for godly people to rise in all nations.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear God, I trust You and choose to rest
assured in Your love today."
Pray to the Lord and pray to know the Lord is with you through troubling
circumstances.
Pray to the Lord and pray to be charitable.
Pray to the Lord and pray to remember He is trustworthy.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- entire congregations and individual believers to catch God's heart
and passion for reaching Muslims in Saskatoon and the other growing
Muslim population centres of Saskatchewan.
- for the eyes and understanding of Canadian youth to be opened to the
spiritual reality of Islam, and not deceived nor manipulated into
converting to a religion which cannot offer assurance of salvation.
- for the few workers among Muslims now engaged there, and for many more
to be raised up into effective witness.
- for prayer and training events that are starting in Saskatoon
to spread and grow to other cities.
- Pray for multiplying house churches to launch Gospel movements among the
Iraqi Arabs, North Iraqi Arabs, and Northern Kurds.
- Pray for a mighty movement of prayer to sweep over the house churches.
- Pray for the historic church to be filled with God's Grace and boldness as
its members share their faith with others
- Pray for the Kingdom of God to advance through prayer and evangelism.
Pray that Christians in Lebanon will share the message of Christ
boldly while serving the poor.